Chain



Marh14,1944. s. J, BERTHERM 2,344 455 CHAIN Filed April 14, 1942 Patented Mar. '14, 1944 v I v 2,344,455

NT OFFICE CHAIN Sidney J. Berthernian, Chepachet, R. I., assignor to L. & B. Jewelry Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Rhode Island Application Aprill4, 1942, Serial No. 438,866

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a chain, more particularly for use as an article of jewelry such as a bracelet band, belt, or the like. More specifically the invention relates to the lazy tong arrangement of links and the particular means for connecting these links one to the other.

Heretofore in the connection of links in the lazy tong arrangement one to the other, rivets have been used which are expensive for assembly, or some hook arrangement has been used which may become accidentally detached and permit the bracelet band, belt or the like, to become completely disconnected.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an inexpensive connection between the links of a bracelet of the above mentioned type which will require a minimum expenditure of time and material for construction and which may be easily and quickly assembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a construction which when assembled cannot be accidentally detached one unit from the other.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the linkage which is the subject of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the linkage in expanded relation, with parts removed, and other parts in section, to illustrate the construction of the chain.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the links shown prior to final formation.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the link with a T-headed stud bent into finished position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the other link, with the tongues at the ends of the opening in raised position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective view on a large scale illustrating one of the T-shaped studs extending through an opening with the tongue portion bent into locking position.

Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a cover member for one of the links.

The chain which I provide consists of essentially three parts; a link designated generally ID, a companion link of the shape shown generally in Fig. 5 and designated II, and a cover member shown in inverted form in Fig. 7 and designated generally I2 which fits over the link I0 and hides the working parts of the assembly.

The link It is cut out of sheet stock as shown in Fig. 3 with studs I4 formed at either end thereof and in the same plane as the body or the link, while at the center of the link a tubular portion or rivet I5 is provided, either as a separate part or drawn up from the stock of the body of the link. The studs are bent from the position shown in Fig. 3 through substantially .elongated slots I8 at either end thereof, which consist of circular portions l9 and a portion 20 extending inwardly from the circular portions by reason of a tongue 2| being cut and bent back to form these elongated slots as shown in Fig. 5. A bearing opening 22 is provided at the center of the link to receive and pivot upon the tubular portion I5 of the link I0, while lugs 23 are raised at the edge of the link to serve to retain the end of the spring 24 which tends to swing the links one relative to the other.

In assembly, a link I I is pivotally mounted upon a link I0 by positioning the opening 22 over the central tubular portion I5 which is then spun as at 26 to provide a headed portion to limit the lateral play of the links II and I0. Each unit so arranged is then connected to another similar unit by the T-headed studs I4 being passed through the elongated openings I8 and after the studs have been passed through these openings, the tongues 2| are bent from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6, to close the portion 20 of the elongated openings I8 and leave only the circular portions I9 thereof extending about the necks I6 of the studs so as to pivotally relate the units comprising links I0 and II as shown in Fig. 2. A spring 24 is assembled within the tubular portion or hollow rivet I5 with one end located in a recess 21 in the under side of the link ID as shown in Fig. 2 while the other end extends beneath the retaining lug 23 on the link I I, there being suificient tension in the spring so as to tend to move the arm which engages the lug 23 in one direction, and move the arm which engages the recess 21 in the opposite direction, causing the links of each unit to swing about their pivot into contracted position.

A cover is assembled upon the link I0 so as to conceal the spring and the T-headed stud and thus provide a chain of more ornamental appearance. This cover is shaped to conform substantially to the shape of the link Ill having a top wall 29 and a flange 30, the flange bein rolled vided in a lazy tong arrangement of links to provide a chain for use as a jewelry article,

I claim:

1. In a linkage of units for articles of personal wear, each unit comprising a pair of sheet stock links arranged in parallel planes one above the unit passing through the openings in the link of the next unit to pivotally connect the units and links in lazy tong relation, the T-heads of said studs being blocked from disengagement by said tongues in said openings.

2. In a linkage of units for articles of personal wear, each unit comprising a pair of sheet stock links arranged in parallel planes one above the other and pivoted together at their centers to move one relative to another each in its own headed studs folded from an edge of the link into a position at right angles to the general plane of other and pivoted together at their centers to move one relative to another each in its own plane, one of said links being provided with T- headed studs extending upwardly at right angles to the general plane of the link, the other of said links having openings inwardly from the edge of 1 the link of a size to receive said T-headed studs therethrough, and a tongue movable from and into a portion of said opening, said units being connected together by the T-headed studs of one the link, the other of said links having openings inwardly from the edge of the link of a size to receive said T'-headed studs therethrough, and a tongue movable from and into a portion of said opening to'lie in the plane of the link, said units being connected together by the T-headed studs of one unit passing through the openings in the link of the-next unit to pivotally connect the units and links in lazy tong relation, the T-heads of said studs being blocked from disengagement by said tongues in said openings so positioned that pivoting about said studs causes said heads to swing over said tongues.

SIDNEY J. BERTHERMAN. 

